Control mechanism



Aug. 16, 1932. J. c. MASEK 1,872,155

CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Nov 2, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fiy n m 5; f

5 k INVENTOR James C Masek BY I 'ATTORNEY 1932- J. c. MASEK 1,872,155

CONTROL MECHANI SM Filed Nov. 2. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR James C Msek ATIZORNEY Patented Aug. 16, 1932 UNITED ST E PA E I1ET James c, or mwm, rnnnsnvnnajassmuonro W STI GHOUSE swam a manumcrunmecomnmr, A coaronmron or PENNSYLVANIA I i con'raor; mechanism] mutation mea m; 2, 1927.2 Serial No. 230,521.

My invention relates'to control mechanisms for current-distributingsystems and particularly to remote-control apparatus for controlling vautomatic theater lightingswitchboard apparatus of the multi-scene preset type in which the intensity ofthe illumination is varied in accordance with a predetermined set-up. 1 Anobject of my invention is to'provide re- 1 mote-control theatersligluing-switchboard apparatus 'of the multi-scenepreset type such 'as isdisclosed in my copending applications, Serial No. 131,303, filed August 24, 1926, andSerial No. 230,522, filed November 2, 1927.

A further object of'my invention is to pro ride aremote-control mechanism for theaterlighting-switchboard apparatus wherein the operation ofan automatic switchboard may 2v be controlled by an operator located at a remote point, and whereby the preset lighting effect for any desired scene may be produced selectively.

A further object of my invention is toprovide a remote-control mechanism for theater'- lighting-switchboard apparatus wherein means are provided for indicating theoperation of a selected lighting effect and for indicating the degree of operation of any preselected lighting effect. 2

A further object of my invention is to provide'a motor-control mechanism for theaterlighting-switchboard apparatus wherein the speed of operation of the mechanism for varying the current intensity may be controlled to conform with the action of the scene being enacted and from a point remote from the switchboard apparatus.

"These and other objects, that will be made apparent throughout the-further description of my invention, are attained by means of the control mechanism and switchboard apparatus hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure lis a diagrammatic perspective view of theater-switchboard apparatus similar to that disclosed in the above-mentioned copending applications illustrating the circuit 60 connections of the electrical apparatus,

mechanism 'for controlling 2 Fig. 2 is' an elevation of a relay panel upon which relays constituting parts of the remotecontrol mechanism,- are mounted. 1

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of theremotecontrol panel board on which parts of the' control-apparatus are mounted, and- Figgi'is awiring diagram ofthe'remotecontrol apparatus connected to the theaterswitchboard apparatugz, 1 7

closed in the said copending application, Serial No. 131,303, comprises a pluralit of lightingcircuits for the illumination 0 the stage andauditorium of the theater. Each circuit is controlled by apparatus which may be presetto cause the opening or closing'of a 1i hting circuit, at a predetermined time durmg any selected scene and which may be preset to produce illumination of any desired intensity, which may be varied a predetermined degree during any part of a selected scene. The apparatus for controlling the various circuits are so related that each con- Fundamentally, each control unit for a lighting circuit comprises a rotarydrum 5,-

upon which is mounted a cam member 6 having a cam face7 that is engaged by a follower 8 which serves to operate a brush 9 of a re sistance element 11, the degree of operation depending upon the angle of the cam face 7 which is divided into a pluralit of surfaces which may be angularly ad usted to vary the degree of movement of the follower 8 during any particular scene, it being understood that two cam faces are provided for each scene, one being for the purpose of moving the rheostat arm 9 to any predetermined position which it is to occupy at the beginning of any selected scene. The construction of the cam face and the manner of adjusting it is fully described in the abovekmentioned copending applications.

Rotary movement of'the brush arm 9 of the resistance element 11 is imparted thereto by the follower 8 by means of a helical groove '12 provided in'a rotatable shaft 13. The rheostat arm 9 is connected to the shaft 13 by means of a releasable clutch member 14 The' theater-switchboard apparatusidis that is disengaged from the shaft 13 by means of a rotary plate bar 15 that is actuated by an electric motor 16, rotation of the motor in a clockwise direction causing movement of the clutch member 14 toward the left and out of engagement with the shaft 13.

The llghting circuit 17 is controlled by an electromagnet switch or relay 18, and the voltage of the circuit is controlled by means of a reactor 19 in the manner described in my copending application, Serial No. 131,303, the current from the main feed conductors 21 and 22 passing through switch contacts 23 and 24 and coils 25 and 26 of the outer le s of the reactor core 19, as indicated in Fig. 1. The flux of the reactor is varied by means of a direct-current coil 27 surrounding the central leg of the reactor core and which is supplied with current throu h circuit conductors 28 and 29 and through the brush arm 9 and the resistance element 11.

The electromagnet switch or relay 18 is controlled to open and close the lighting circuit through the coils 25 and 26 and the lamps of the lighting circuit by means of normally open-switch 31 and a normally closed switch 32 that are actuated momentarily by means of fingers 33 and 34, respectivel which are adjustably mounted upon the drum 5 and which may be adjusted to open or close the switches 31 or 32 at predetermined times, it being understood that a pair of contact fingers 33 and 34 are provided about the periphery of the drum for each scene or lighting effect.

If it is desired that the lighting circuit of a selected circuit is to be closed at the beginning of a scene, the finger 33 for that scene is so adjusted that it engages the normally open switch 31 at the beginning of the scene thus momentarily closing it. It will be understood that, during a scene or a selected lighting effect, the drum 5 is rotated counter-clockwise a predetermined distance and, in the case of a ten scene control unit, the drum is rotated one twentieth of a revolution.

When the normally open switch 31 is momentarily closed, the control circuit is completed through the coil of the relay 18, thus causing the switch contacts 23 and 24 to be connected, thereby energizing the lighting circuit. The intensity of illumination depends, at this time, upon the position of the brush arm 9 which may be moved to increase the intensity of illumination or to decrease it, as the drum 5 is rotated during the scene.

When the relay 18 has been closed, the switch contacts 35 and 36 are closed, and the coil of the relay 18 will be energized to maintain the relay in closed position by current passing through a normally closed switch 32 and the contacts 35 and 36. The circuit is interrupted at any predetermined point by means of contact finger 34 which engages the- In the copending application, Serial No. 131,303, the intensity of the illumination or the voltage of the lighting circuit was maintained constant during any predetermined time by permitting the drum 5 to move at such time independently of the cam member 6. In my copending a plication, Serial No. 230,522, the voltage 0 the circuit is main tained constant during any predetermined time by means of apparatus for disengaging the clutch member 13 from the shaft 14, thus permitting rotation of the shaft in response to rotation of the cam member 6 without imparting movement to the brush arm 9, which arm remains in the position that it occupied at the time the clutch member 14 became disengaged.

It is frequentl desirable, especially for the purpose of rehearsals or for the purpose of certain t pes of performances, to shift from one ligl iting effect to any desired preset lighting efi'ect without changing the state of illumination during the time that the apparatus is being readjusted. In the event that it is desired to change from the illumination of Scene 1 to the illumination efi'ect preset for Scene 5, for example, it is necessary to prevent the apparatus from effecting any change in the circuit condition. For example, the apparatus which has been preset for the intermediate Scenes 2, 3 and 4 should in no way affect the condition of the lighting circuit. To accomplish this, a normally open switch 37 and a normally closed switch 38 are provided in the control circuit and which serve to maintain the circuit condition prevailing at the time the clutch member 14 is disengaged from the shaft 13.

The switches 37 and 38 are actuated by a cam plate 41 that is connected to the cam member 14 by means, for the purpose of illustration, of a pin 42 that engages a slot 43 in the cam plate 41. The cam plate is provided with inclined faces 44 and 45 that engage the lower arms of the switches 37 and 38 for causing them to be rotated in a clockwise direction when the cam member 14 and cam plate 41 are moved toward the left, thus pleted by closing of the switch 31 is interrupted at the switch 38 and, therefore, the operation of the switch 31 does 1 not affect the controlled circuit of the relay 18. Since the normally open switch 37 is connected n parallel with the switch of normally closed switch 32 and since, at this time, the switch 37 is closed, the switch 32 may be moved to open position without effecting any change in the control circuit of the relay 18.

If the control circuit through a relay 18 is closed at the timerthe clutch member 14 is disengaged, it will remain closed regardless of the operation of the switch 32 by th e fingers 34 on the drum 35. If the circuit is open, it will remain open regardless of the operation of the normally open switch 31 by the control fingers 33. a

By reason of the switchboard apparatus above described, the lighting effect for a plurality of scenes may be preset to cause any circuit to be energized to any degree within the voltage limits at any predetermined time, and for any predetermined length of time during a scene, and it is possible to follow one lighting effect with any selected preset lighting effect without effecting a change of the circuit condition during the interval In which the apparatus is actuated to prepare it for the production of the selected effect.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the control drums 5 of each lighting circuit are geared to a master driving shaft 46 that is rotated by an electric motor 47, the drums 5 being geared to pinions 48 mounted uponthe shaft 46.

It is desirable to control the operation of the automatic theater switchboard apparatus above described from a point remote from the stage, for example, from a point in the auditorium or in the moving picture booth, located in the auditorium, this locat on being more advantageous because it enables .the operator to have full view of the stage and auditorium, which affords opportunity to fully appreciate the lighting effect both on the stage and in the auditorium.

The control apparatus required to accomplish remote control of the theater-switchboard apparatus above-described comprises a series of relays I, II, III, IV, V and VI which may be mounted upon an insu'at-ing panel 49 which may be located at any convenient point adjacent the switchboard apparatus, a double-throw switch 51 mounted upon the shaft 15 of the clutch motor 16, a potentiometer 52 associated with the master shaft 46 which carries a brush arm 53, and a pair of dial switches 54 and 55 driven by the master shaft 46, the above enumerated apparatus being associated with the switchboard apparatus.

In addition, the following apparatus is disposed upon a remote-control panel 56' which may be located at any desired point in the theater above mentioned. A rheostat 57 for controlling the motor 47, ascene-selector switch 58 for selecting the lighting set-up of any desired scene,'ascene-position indicator 59 for advising the operator ofthe lighting effect the switchboard apparatus is prepared to produce, an indicator 61 for advising the operator the degree of operation of a lighting effect and four push-button switches 62, 63, 6:4 and-65 for manually controlling the operation of the remote-control apparatus. 7 I y I It will be understoodthat the dial switches 54 and 55 are provided with twice as many contacts as there are lighting effects to be produced, and,;iln the case of a ten-scene switchboard, each is provided with twenty contacts, thus dividing the switch into ten scene periodsand ten scene-changing periods, such as are fully described in the above-mentioned copending applications. The brush arms 66 and 67 of the d al switches are mounted on a shaft 68 that is geared to the master shaft 46 through the medium of a gear 69 and a pinion 71, the gear ratio being such that thecontact arms66 and 67 make a revolution simultaneously with a corresponding movement of thedrum 5. The contact buttons 72 of the dial switch 54 are each connected to a corresponding contact button 73on the scene selector switch 58 through the medium of conductors 74, and the contact buttons 75 of the dial switch 55 are connected to a corresponding indicating lamp 76 of the scene-position indicator 59 by means of conductors 77. The remaining conductors on the diagram, Fig. 4, will not be assigned numerals but indicate the connection of the various instruments of the apparatus and the circuits through the various switches and control apparatus may be readily traced through the connecting conductors.

For the purpose of illustration, it is assumed that it is desired to prepare the switchboard apparatus for the production of the lighting effect, which will be identified as Scene IV, that is, the lighting effect that is to be used during the scene. It will be understood that all of the adjustments of the cam faces and the operatingfingers on the drums 5 have been made to produce a desired lighting effect, as the result of a combination of circuits having incandescent lamps of various colors. In order to produce the lighting effect for a selected scene, it is necessary to rotate the drums 5 until the cam-faces 7 of the drums 5,. corresponding to the desired scene, are brought into operative relation with the follower 8 which effects variations in the intensity of the illumination. Means are provided therefor for remotely controlling the driving motor for the drums 5 and the circuit-controlling switches. a

Assuming that it is desired to effect the illumination preset for Scene IV, for example, and assuming the switches and relays of the remote control apparatus to be in the positions indicated in Fig. 4, the contact arm 78 of the scene selector dial switch 58 is first moved to the contact button for the Number IV scene or lighting effect, as indicated in Fig. 4. The push-button switches 62 and 63 are mounted on a lever that is pivoted intermediate its ends and, consequently, when the switch 62 is closed, the switch 63 is open. The switches 62 and 63 are identified by the legends Still and Move, respectively. The push-button switches 64 and 65 are normally open switches, yieldingly retained in open position by a spring. The switches are intended to be momentarily closed only and are identified by the legends Preselect and Transfer, respectively. At the beginning of the operation about to be described the Still switch 62 is closed and the Preselect and Transfer switches are open, as indicated.

In order to move the drums 5 to bring the cam faces 7 into operative position for producing a lighting effect during Scene IV, the Preselect switch 64 is momentarily depressed to close the circuit therethrough. The coil of the relay I is then connected across the feed conductors 21 and 22 through the Preselect switch 64 and Still switch 62. The relay is held closed thereafter through switch contacts 79 and 81 and the Still switch 62.

Assuming that the clutch member 14 is engaged, the contact arm 82 of the limit switch 51 is in the position indicated in Fig. 4 in which it engages contact 83. The coil of the relay II is energized when the relay I is closed by current passing from the feed conductor 21 to the feed conductor 22 through the limit switch arm 82, contact 83, contacts 84 and 85 of a relay IV, contacts 79 and 81 of the relay I and Still switch 62. Closure of the relay II energizes the clutch motor which is connected across the feed conductors 21 and 22 through contacts 86 and 87 of the relay II, contacts 88 and 89 of the relay V, contacts 79 and 81 of the relay I and the Still switch. 62.

Vv hen the clutch member 14 is fully disengaged by the clutch motor 16, the switch arm 82 of the limit switch 51 changes position and engages contact 91, which operation energizes the coil of the relay III and deenergizes the relay II, the coil of the re lay III being energized through the switch arm 82, contact 91, the contacts 92 and 93 of the relay IV, contacts 79 and 81 of the relay I, and Still switch 62. The dropping out of the relay II deenergizes the clutch motor 16 and causes it to stop.

Closure of the relay III energizes the armature winding of the scene-control motor 47, the field coil 94 thereof being energized through a fixed resistor 95, current passing through contacts 96 and 97 of the relay I,

which are connected while that relay is closed. The circuit through the armature winding of the motor 47 is completed through an adjustable armature rheostat 98 and contacts 99 and 101 of the relay III. Energization of the motor 47 causes rotation of the master shaft 46, the drums 5, the ear 69, shaft 68 and contact arms 66 and 6 of the dial switches 54 and 55, respectively. As the arms 66'and 67 rotate in a clockwise direction, the signal lights 59 are consecutively illuminated as the contact arm 67 successively engages contact buttons 75 of the dial switch 55, the circuit through the si al lamps 59 being established from the positive feed conductor 21 through the lamps, conductors 77, contact buttons 75, contact arms 67, contacts 79 and 81 of the relay I and Still switch 62.

The motor 47 continues to rotate until the contact arm 66 of the dial switch 54 engages a contact button 72 associated with the apparatus for controlling the illumination of lighting effect of Scene IV. When the contact arm engages the contact button for Scene IV, the coil of the relay IV is energized causing that relay to close. Operation of the relay IV interrupts the circuit through the coil of relay III, the contacts 92 and 93, thereby deenergizing the motor 47 and causing the drums to stop in a position which they should occupy at the beginning of Scene IV. Closing of the relay IV closes the contacts 102 and 103 in the circuit of the coil of the relay V, and it will be understood that, at this time, the contact arm 104 of the clutch-motor limit switch 51 engages contact 105 of the coil circuit of relay V. At this time, the switchboard apparatus is prepared for producing the lighting effect that has been prearranged or preset for Scene IV. However, the clutch member 14 still remains disengaged, and, by reason of the switches 37 and 38, the illumination of the preceding scene remains as it was at the time rotation of the drums 5 commenced. In order to begin operation of the lighting effects preset for Scene IV it is necessary to permit engagement of the clutch member 14 with the shaft 13 so that the rheostat arm 9 may be moved by such engagement to the position determined by the inclination of the'cam face 7 for Scene IV operation.

To re-engage the clutch, the Transfer switch 65 is momentarily depressed by the operator which completes a circuit through the clutch motor 16 that will cause reverse movement thereof, the circuit being established between contact ,arm 104 of the limit switch 51, conductors 21 and 22, contact 105, contacts 102 and 103, contacts 106 and 107 of the Transfer switch 65, contacts 79 and 81 of the relay I and the Still switch 62. As the clutch member 14 leaves the fully disengaged position, the limit-switch contact arm 82 resumes its original position in engagement with contact 83 but the relays II and III are not 0 erated because the relay IV is energizedan the normally closed contacts in the circuits of the relays II and III are now 0 en.

When t e clutch member 14 is fully reengaged, the contact arm 104 is moved to its original position in en agement with contact 108. This operation eenergizes the coil of the relay V which, in turn, deenergizes the circuit through a clutch motor 16 by inter rupting the circuit through contacts 109 and 111. Engagement of the contact arm 104 of the limit switch 51 with contact 108 short circuits the coil of relay I through contacts 112 and 113 of the relay IV, contacts 79 and 81 of the relay I and the Still switch 62, and causes the relay I to drop out to open position thereby causing the interruption of the circuit through the coil of the relay IV by opening the circuit at the contacts 79 and 81.

Dropping out of the relay I also interrupts the circuit through the fixed resistor 95 of the field winding 94 of the drum operating motor 47 by interrupting the circuit through contacts 96 and 97. At this time, the variable resistor 57 is connected in the field-winding circuit of the motor 47 through closure of the contacts 114 and 115 of the relay I, thus enabling the control of the speed of the motor 47 through the medium of the variable resistor or rheostat 57 mounted on the remotecontrol panel. Operation of the control of the switchboard apparatus may now proceed for efi'ecting the lighting effects of Scene IV, it being understood that the re-engagement of the clutch 14 with the shaft 13 automatically caused movement of the brush arm 9 to its preset position for the beginning of Scene IV.

Operation of the apparatus for producing the lighting effect for Scene IV is initiated the pressing the Move switch 63 to closing position and opening the Still switch 62. This operation energizes the coil of the relay VI through the contacts of the Move switch 63, and contacts 116 and 117 of the relay I, which, at this time, is in the open position shown in Fig. 4. Closure of the relay VI energizes the armature of the motor 47 throu h the contacts 118 and 119 of the relay V the current passing through the adjustable armature rheostat 98 as desired. The speed of movement of the drums may bevaried at will by adjusting the rheostat 57 and the illuminating efi'ects may be made to coincide with the action of the scene, the operator bein located at a point where the scene can be 0 served to the best advantage.

To arrest the movement of the drums 5 to maintain a lighting effect of constant in tensity, the Move switch 63 is opened, thus interrupting the circuit through the relay VI, which opens the motor circuit through the contacts 118 and 119.

In order that the operator may be apprised of the degree of operation of the circuit-controlling apparatus during a scene, a potentiometer 52 is provided that is traversed by a contact arm 53 mounted on the master shaft 46, the otentiometer being connected across the fee conductors 21 and 22 through a voltage meter 8 having a dial 121 calibrated from 1 to 100 to indicate the percentage of movement of, the control apparatus, indication being made through the medium of an indicator hand 122 that is responsive to variations of current intensity of the circuit. It will be understood that the contact arm 53 of the potentiometer is so geared to the master shaft 46 that it makes substantially a complete revolution while the drums move a distance corresponding to the movement thereof required for the operation for a full scene.

To resume movement of the drums the Move switch 63 is again closed. At the end of the scene, the drum motor 47 is stopped by opening the Move switch 63 and closing the Still switch 62.

Should it be desired to produce the lighting effect of Scene VIII, for example, the Still switch 62 is closed and the scene selector contact arm 78 is moved to the contact button associated with the Scene VIII apparatus. The operation thereafter is the same as for efi'ecting the illuminating effect of Scene IV. It will be understood that the motor 47 may be provided with a reversing switch apparatus for causing reverse movement of the drums when so desired. From the foregoing, it is apparent that the drums may be moved to produce any desired scene without causing change of illumination of the scene preceding while the drums are being moved to the selected scene position and the operation of the apparatus is under full control of an operator, who may be located at a oint in the auditorium remote from the switchboard.

While I have illustrated but one embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, and omissions may be made in the apparatus illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention asset forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A control system comprisin a circuitcontrolling device having a p urality of means for separately varying through a desired range the same circuit and presetable means for controllin the device to effect the control of the circuit through any selected first said regulating means.

2. A control system comprisin a circuitcontrolling device havin a plum 'ty of control means for difierent y varying the our- 6 imam;

rent flow thro h the same circuit and presettable means or controlling the device to eflect the control of the circu1t through any first said selected control means.

3. A control system comprising a circuitcontrolling device having a plurahty of adjustable control means or separately controlling the potential of the same circuit and resettable means for controlling the device 10 0 effect the control of the circuit through any selected first said control means.

4. A control system comprising a clrcultcontrollin device having a circuit-control means and a plurality of presettable controlling members therefor, and presettable means for controlling the device to efiect the energization of the circuit through the medium of any selected preset controlling memr. go 5. A control system for a plurality of circuits comprising a circuit-controlling device having a circuit-control means for each circuit and a plurality of controlling members therefor, means for actuating the members 35 to bring them into operative relation to the said circuit-control means, means for controlling the movement of the actuating means and means for rendering the members inoperative during a predetermined move- 30 ment of the actuating means.

6. A control system for a plurality of circuits comprising a circuit-controlling device having a circuit-control means for each circuit and a plurality of controlling members as therefor, means for concurrently actuating the members to bring them into operative relation to their respective control means, means for. controlling the movement of the actuating means and means for renderin the 0 members ino rative during a predetermined movement 0 the actuating means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subgcr2i7bed my name this 7th day of October, JAMES C. MASEK. 

